Max Fewtrell: Life Beyond Racing and Building Quadrant with Lando Norris
Max Fewtrell reflects on his transition from aspiring F1 driver to managing Quadrant alongside Lando Norris. Despite stepping away from racing, Fewtrell remains deeply connected to motorsport through his work and friendships.
For every driver making it to Formula 1, many more fall by the wayside. Max Fewtrell, once a promising young racer, now finds himself in an entirely different lane within the motorsport world. As a child, Fewtrell's life was dictated by the racing calendar, each weekend another opportunity to edge closer to Formula 1. He was a British F4 champion and won the Formula Renault Eurocup, competing alongside peers who would eventually grace the F1 grid. However, his own journey hit a roadblock during the 2020 Formula 3 season.
Fewtrell recounts the gradual realization that racing might not be in his future. "There wasn't even a defining day where I thought, 'Oh, I'm never going to race again.' It just sort of didn’t happen again," he explains. With doors closing and sponsors scarce, the dream started slipping away.
Adapting to life without the thrill of race weekends proved challenging. "I'm still sort of figuring that out now," Fewtrell admits. The absence of a race to prepare for left a void, prompting introspection about his identity beyond the track. "As it went on longer, it became more difficult to deal with," he reflects.
Despite stepping away from competitive racing, Fewtrell remains intertwined with F1 through Quadrant, the content creation brand he helped build with best friend Lando Norris. Initially joining as a bored companion, Fewtrell's role evolved as the venture grew. "As Lando started to fight for the championship... I had to step in," Fewtrell explains, becoming Quadrant's Managing Partner.
Fewtrell's long-standing friendship with Norris, who recently clinched the F1 World Championship, remains a significant part of his life. "There's never any jealousy," Fewtrell says. "I've always been super proud, and it’s been amazing seeing him perform the way he does." Watching Norris's success has offered Fewtrell a vicarious glimpse into the F1 world, though a part of him wonders about the path not taken.
Quadrant itself has become a hub for motorsport fans, extending beyond Norris to include appearances by other drivers like Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon. Fewtrell emphasizes the importance of building a community that welcomes all racing enthusiasts, not just Norris's fans. "We don't necessarily want it to just be that Lando's the only driver we get on," he explains.
The brand's reach has expanded from digital to physical spaces, including pop-ups and live events like Quadrant Live at Silverstone. Fewtrell describes the joy of seeing the community in person, "You see videos get 5,000,000 views… but it really puts everything into perspective."
Despite his current path, Fewtrell hasn't entirely closed the door on racing. "I would love to race in Le Mans at some point," he says. For now, though, he's focused on keeping things simple and finding happiness beyond the grid. "I just want to be happy. That's what it's all about," he concludes.